If you just want to buy 1 MFH and then settle down to a house, that's a very different strategy than house hacking MFH's every year and accumulating as many properties as you can.

All parties have settled on the price.

Someone who's looking to serially house hack in my area probably won't be able to do it in those very expensive/desirable areas, but they also don't have to settle for the really bad, crime-ridden neighborhoods either.

Are you guys settling for a 3cap in Stanford or a 6cap in Oakland? 

Typically, builders come back after a year and do touch ups after settling.

Don't just settle for a 0% return, that's like buying a fancy car with no engine—it might look good, but it ain't gonna take you anywhere financially. 

The house is going to be sold as part of settling the estate with the proceeds going to the nursing home to pay for her care.  

We have been working with Cynthia Meyer and really like her approach: https://reallifeplanning.com/who-we-are-real-life-planningWe interviewed many advisors before we settled on Cynthia.

Is there a way to use private money or a bridge loan to allow him to buy the house and refinance after his retirement when his finances have settled?

I'm curious as to whats happened to people that were previously wholesaling a lot in Illinois now that the new law (referenced here - https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/93/topics/745421-new-illinois-wholesale-law ) has settled down.